Diversity In The Workplace

Diversity in the Workplace

Generally defined, diversity is the inclusion of diverse people (as people of different races or cultures) in a group or organization. (Merriam-Webster online) When someone begins speaking about diversity in the workplace, thoughts of Affirmative Action, racial diversity, or sexual equality are usually the first that go through our heads. However, diversity in the workplace is so much more; we must also consider aging workers, handicapped workers, those with alternative lifestyles, and even physical traits.

In the popular sitcom The Office, one episode called "Diversity Day" brings to light many issues concerning diversity in the workplace. One of these issues is workplace discrimination, which is a major problem in the world today. Discrimination occurs when an employee suffers harsh or unfair treatment due to their race, religion, national origin, disabled or veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. This group could also include employees who suffer punishment for opposing workplace discrimination or for reporting violations to the authorities. Federal law prohibits discrimination in a number of work-related areas, including recruiting, hiring, job evaluations, promotion policies, training, compensation and disciplinary action. In a nationwide poll of 331 executives, as many as 81% said they had witnessed discrimination in the workplace. The majority cited race as the most common type of workplace discrimination, followed by gender, age discrimination, and sexual orientation.

Another issue that the episode "Diversity Day" brings to light is the importance of cultural diversity in the workplace. Cultural diversity is based on the idea that cultural identities should not be ignored, but instead, should be valued. The importance of cultural diversity in the workplace has been, for the most part, accepted in American business. This is illustrated by the increased number of women and minorities in the business world. Diversity has gone from being a moral and /or legal issue into an obligation for businesses. A study by the Hudson Institute for the U.S. Department of Labor found that 85% of the new entrants into the workforce in the next decade will be women, minorities, and immigrants. If businesses want to be successful and competitive in the future, they will have to utilize these human resources and participate in these diversity trends.

Cultural Diversity should be important to everyone, either professionally or personally. When a portion of our population is excluded or exploited, we are all deprived of. For businesses and communities to not only survive, but to prosper as well, each of us needs to be aware of all the members of the community. When all portions of the population are respected and utilized, it benefits everyone involved. A great deal of us live on the "margins" of society which mean that you are not a part of the typical, popular culture. In this nation, our popular